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New user
Posts: 2
| Is it just my bike, or does anyone else have a problem with the spongy handlebar isolators leaving the front wheel wobbly and scary as hell at low speeds on un-even pavement such as a hair-pin turn or tight turns in a parking lot. My clamp bolts are tight, dealers say they have never heard any such complaint, the manufacturer ignores me, and I am getting frustrated. I cannot find a stiffer isolator. Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone have a fix? I understand the clamp bolts have a lathed shoulder they draw down on. Has anyone lathed the shoulder down further to get a tighter clamp on the rubber?
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | need to recalibrate your grip, however, I know what you are talking about, though it is not a bother to most that I know of. It keeps your hands from feeling tingly, if you don't believe me, hold your hand on the cheese wedge sometime and see how much it vibrates going down the highway. I'll keep the spongy feel, thank you. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | We don't know how old your bike is, new or used, or how many miles. When I first got my bike I used to lay it down on the tipovers when giving a demo. I probably did it over 20 times. It turns out I ovalled-out the isolators by picking the bike up by the left handlebar (along with the grab rail) all the time. I had about 1" of play, front to back. When my dealer swapped out the isolators (at the same time they did the fork oil) it was good as new and I quit doing the tip-over demo. I'd just try new isolators and see if that fixes it. Should be a warranty item if you're covered. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 132
Durango, Colorado | When I first discovered what you are describing, I have to admit it freaked me out somewhat. I agree with varider that it requires a softer touch with the bars at low speeds and on uneven terrain. I turn around in my front yard to back into the garage (over two low concrete curbs)and noticed it particularly after a soaking rain or when the grass is high. Kinda mushy feeling control of the forks. I also have a theory that this contributes to the bad manners on tar snakes. All things that can be managed with little effort if one remains aware of and respects these Vision characteristics. Have you tried one of the new Honda Furys? Like driving a loaded dumptruck at low speeds. Just gotta know your ride and enjoy it for it's uniqueness. My two pennies, paulhu |
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Cruiser
Posts: 114
Southeast, AZ United States | What SongFan said...had my insulators replaced under warranty as they were worn, handling improved greatly...Have them checked and replaced if needed.
Ride Safe,
Ken  |
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New user
Posts: 2
| I think songfan may be correct on this one too. My bike is an 08 that I bought a year ago. It was a showroom demonstrator and had been picked up countless times. I have about an inch of fore and aft slack in the bars and less rotational slop. I ordered up some insulators and am hopeful that solves the problem. I am disappointed that the dealer was not aware of this potential problem and did not make sure it was fixed before he sent me home with it. Thanks for the responses! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | I checked my bars and mine are just fine. I have done many tipover demos and few tipover ...um .... events.
The difference might be in the way I pick up the Vision. I use my legs not my arms. The handle bar and rear handle are used to steady the Vision. My rear digs into the seat as my legs walk the Vision up.
If I use my arms I pull my back out.
Ride Safe |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | Are these isolators pictured anywhere in the service manual? If so....what part on which page?
Anyone have the Vic part number? Price?
How do you find this "play" in the bars? Bike on the ground and the handlebars are sloppy?
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I have to question, are the bolts tight? I've had mine out several times, and I have picked mine off the TOP quite a few times showing, folks or working on the bike and mine feel tight, though they have the rubbery feel that is expected with a bushing. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | The isolator part number for an 08 Vision is 5412932, there are four (4) isolators. The part number for the isolator spacer is 5136190, there are two (2) spacers. You may want to call around to get best pricing on these parts. There are two bolts, Nyloc nuts and flat washers for attachment. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | If you stand the bike up and push the handlebars up, they will give a little. Feels spongy but tight. When mine were worn out, you could push them up about an inch and they would flop back down. Very obvious that the bushings/isolators were worn. No tension at all against the bars. No big deal on a straight road but during real slow parking lot manuevers, I would turn the handlebars and the front wheel would lag a little and then "flop" into the turn (if that makes any sense). |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | SF, honestly, that's scary. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I knew that sounded more dramatic than it actually was. I could just tell that the bars had some slop in them and it wasn't perfectly tight in a slow, tight turn. It never changed the geometry of the turn and made me feel like I was going to dump the bike. Just felt a little clunk as the wheel went from one side to the other. (It's not like the wheel flopped over an inch.) It happened slowly over time and I guess I just compensated for it until it became obvious. |
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Loose Handlebar isolators
